Tag archives for Depression

St. John’s Wort and the Treatment of Depression

Posted By Kelly On Sunday, January 24th 2010   under:  Treatment of Depression   Tags: , , ,    
Historically, St. John’s wort has been used as an herbal remedy for depression, anxiety, diuresis, gastritis and insomnia. Recent studies demonstrate that the extract, primarily hypericin, is a strong, and nearly irreversible, inhibitor of monoamine oxidase types A and B. Patient Presentation and History JS is a 37-year-old female who comes to the pharmacy intending to purchase St. John’s wort. She has heard that it can relieve depression, and she firmly believes ... Read More

Recognizing depression in adolescents

Posted By Kelly On Thursday, January 21st 2010   under:  Book review   Tags: ,    
Helping Your Depressed Teenager. A Guide for Parents and Caregivers Gerald D. Oster, Sarah S. Montgomery John Wiley & Sons Canada, Ltd, 5353 Dundas St W, 4th Floor, Etobicoke, ON M9B 6H8 1995/184 pp Strengths Very informative, logical presentation, useful bibliography and resource list Weaknesses Support groups mostly in the United States Adolescents are not just "big children" or "little adults." They represent a separate stage in the transition from infancy to old age. The authors have written an ... Read More

Vestra: Drug for the Treatment of Depression

Posted By Kelly On Sunday, January 17th 2010   under:  Antidepressants   Tags: , , , ,    
Brand Name: Vestra Active Ingredient: reboxetine mesylate Indication: Treatment of depression Company Name: Pharmacia & Upjohn Vestra: Introduction As a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), Vestra is the first of a new class of antidepressant drugs. This new mechanism of action appears to produce fewer side effects, such as nausea, headache, and sexual dysfunction, compared with traditional antidepressants. Vestra also possesses a faster onset of action compared to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), tricyclics, and ... Read More

Depression and Weight Gain

Posted By Kelly On Friday, January 15th 2010   under:  Question - Answer   Tags: , , , ,    
Question. I used to take 100 mg of imipramine per day for depression. Then I was diagnosed with mixed bipolar and was switched to 750 mg Depakote and 225 mg of Effexor per day. I gained about 50 pounds during the first three months and have not been able to lose any of it. I have a lot of problem with my weight and it has been starting to make ... Read More

Mental Health Professional with Depression

Posted By Kelly On Thursday, January 14th 2010   under:  Question - Answer   Tags: , , , ,    
Question. I am a mental health professional. However, I also find myself searching for information to console me personally. I have been diagnosed with major depression. I go regularly to a psychiatrist and I am currently taking Wellbutrin SR. What is the potential for recurrence of depressive symptoms while taking a prescribed medication that has worked well for over three years? Can you give me some information about the number ... Read More

Meds in the Second Trimester

Posted By Kelly On Tuesday, January 12th 2010   under:  Question - Answer   Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,    
Question. My patient is in the second trimester of her pregnancy. She has panic disorder and depression. In the past, she responded well to Zoloft and Klonopin. What are the safest medications for the next few months? Answer. The short, no-frills answer to your question is that any of the major antidepressants or anxiolytics are probably safe, now that the most vulnerable period of organ-formation (the first trimester) has passed. I ... Read More

Meds for Depression and Anxiety

Posted By Kelly On Monday, January 11th 2010   under:  Question - Answer   Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,    
Question. Do you have a list of drugs for depression, and non-addictive medications for anxiety? Tricyclics of the older vintage would be helpful. Answer. I am providing you with a list of commonly used antidepressants, as well as their usual doses: Maintenance Dosage and Tablet Size for Non-MAOI Antidepressants Antidepressant Tablet/capsule sizes Usual daily adult dose Amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep) 10, 25, 50, 75, 100, 150 mg 75-250 mg Amoxapine (Asendin) 25,50, 100, 150 mg 200-300 mg Bupropion (Wellbutrin) 75, 100 ... Read More

Excercise and Depression

Posted By Kelly On Thursday, January 7th 2010   under:  Question - Answer   Tags:    
Question. I am recovering from alcohol and drug addiction and ocassionally suffer from depression. It seems to me that exercise helps, even if it is just walking around the block. Do professionals recommend exercise to people who suffer from depression? And if so, why? Answer. I think many mental health professionals do recommend moderate aerobic exercise to patients with mild-to-moderate depression, though I do not have any figures to back that ... Read More

Immobilized by Depression

Posted By Kelly On Wednesday, January 6th 2010   under:  Question - Answer   Tags: , , ,    
Question. After using alcohol and amphetamines to dull my "bad feelings" for many years, I was diagnosed with clinical depression and put on antidepressants in 1999. I went through several before finding success with Paxil and Ritalin. Then I moved away. I now don't have insurance and the medications are not working. I feel totally immobilized, and literally cannot work on a regular basis, even though I know I will ... Read More

Depression and Stress

Posted By Kelly On Sunday, January 3rd 2010   under:  Question - Answer   Tags: , ,    
Question: I have lots of pressures from school and recently began a job as well. I find that I am increasingly stressed out and depressed, even lethargic. I continue to follow through on my responsibilities, since I have no other choice, but it becomes increasingly difficult to get motivated to do so. Are there any self-help exercises that you would recommend? Or, should I seek counseling? Answer: You are raising a ... Read More
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